The Best Wollongong Accommodation Options

From glamping getaways to hotels with all the mod cons and cute-as-a-button cabins, here are some of the best Wollongong accommodation options.

Whether you’re an outdoorsy family, a couple looking for a romantic weekend away or an adventurous type who likes to fly solo and get away from it all, we’ve got you sorted with some of the coolest places to stay on the South Coast. And the best thing about our list of the best places to stay in Wollongong and surrounds is that it ranges from campgrounds to hotel suites and beach houses with wrap-around views. Take your pick from the following.

Hotels

Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

If you’re looking for some romance in the Gong, book a long weekend at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach . Dive headfirst into all the recently refurbished hotel has to offer: dinner at Palisade Kitchen and Bar and drinks at the North Bar, which looks like something out of an Entourage scene. Best of all, doe-eyed duos don’t need to leave the pool in order to order a cocktail at the spiffy Adrift Pool Bar.

Sage Hotel

Families with little ones will appreciate the fact the Sage Hotel has an activities room with old-school video games, table tennis and Giant Jenga. The hotel, which is within walking distance of Wollongong CBD and City Beach, feels as if it could double as a lighthouse, with its glass-fronted floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the Illawarra coastline. Parents will also appreciate the pool bar, which features Friday night movies.

Parents will appreciate the pool bar the Sage Bar.

Headlands Austinmer Beach

The new Headlands Austinmer Beach wraps around the Austinmer headland and it’s those sea views that guests are here for. The stylish ocean-view apartments, which are proving popular for weddings and luxury escapes, look out over the Illawarra and the beauty of the location is that you can stay glued to a sun-lounger by the hotel pool, one of the coolest on offer on the coast, have dinner at the pub downstairs and then hang happily on your hotel balcony.

Argo Apartments

The paint is only just dry at Argo Apartments located in the heart of the Wollongong CBD. Many of the new apartments, which accommodate small pets, offer views over the ocean and iconic Illawarra Escarpment. The rooms have stuck to a mainly minimalist palette of whites and charcoals enhanced by the warm glow of copper tones, which are a lustrous feature of the lobby. Enjoy glittering city views from the balcony at night as the Gong is lit up like a circuit board.

Airbnb’s

Ocean Blue Bed & Breakfast

Surprise your squeeze with a thrilling tandem hang-gliding adventure followed by a stay at Ocean Blue Bed & Breakfast , which is a multi-level home comprising the Beachcomber Spa Suite on the upper level, the Ocean Blue garden wing with a west-facing deck, and the Sandpiper Spa Suite on the ground level. Insulate yourself from the world at this bright and breezy retreat, which includes a fully cooked breakfast of a morning.

Wollongong Coastal Bungalow

Whether you’re travelling with your kids, the in-laws or a group of foodie friends, we’ve done the Airbnb Wollongong edit and found the best Wollongong accommodation on offer. Wollongong Coastal Bungalow is one of them. Here are the details: the three-bedroom, three-bathroom bungalow is located in the Wollongong CBD, is a 10-minute walk to some of the city’s best beaches and is packed with everything you will need and includes ocean views to boot.

Easton’s Escape

Easton’s Escape is a well-designed light-filled apartment that has room for up to six guests, and enough room for everyone to spread out in the communal living-dining area and sunny balcony. While there’s plenty of reasons to just kick back and relax in the apartment, when you do leave, you’re just a few blocks back from the beaches in North Wollongong and some of our favourite places to eat in Wollongong. Perfect for families.

The light-filled living area extends to a private balcony.

The Bower

The Bower is not on the coast. But the Mt Kembla home deserves special mention in our guide to Wollongong accommodation as it’s a quiet oasis away from the bustle of the city and the perfect base from which to lace up your boots and hit some trails. Fans of Mid-Century design will love the Mid Century lines of this architecturally designed home, while families will appreciate making memories around the fire pit under the stars.

Camping

Coledale Camping Reserve

The Coledale Camping Reserve is a small grassy campground just metres away from Coledale Beach. The campground has a really cool communal vibe and is filled with shaggy haired surfers living their best #vanlife and families with little ones who aren’t up for anything too intrepid. Swim, fish, surf, dive and play French cricket and then head to Sharky’s across the road for fish and chips.

Corrimal Beach Tourist Park

Corrimal Beach Tourist Park is a go-to for a night or two spent under canvas when visiting the Gong as it offers the simplest of joys – proximity to 1.4-kilometre stretch of sand beach views – all within nine minutes of Wollongong’s CBD. The park backs onto sand dunes and native grasses that whisker the coastline and is near to Towradgi Creek, which is a top spot to catch dusky flathead.

Windang Beach Tourist Park

Windang Beach Tourist Park is sandwiched between Lake Illawarra and Windang Beach Tourist Park and it’s a choose-your-own-adventure vibe with cabins, and powered campsites that cater to tents and caravans. The location – smack-bang on Windang Beach – is perfect for immersing yourself in the Wollongong lifestyle. Families should pitch their tent as near to the children’s playground as possible.

Reflections Holiday Park in Killalea Reserve

Reflections Holiday Park in Killalea Reserve is popular with large family groups who book out the backpacker-style accommodation for special occasions. In addition to the 40-bed bunkhouse, the holiday park has large, unpowered camping sites that are popular with the grizzled surfer brigade. Thanks to the park’s reserve status, the campsite is surrounded by rolling hills and near to famed surf breaks, The Farm and Mystic’s.

For more travel tips and itineraries read our Ultimate guide to Wollongong holidays.

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

Accommodation to suit every traveller in Wollongong